The city will host the DY World Series

Orangeburg will be home to the Division I and II Coaches AA World Series. The tournament will feature an all-star team from 11 southeastern states and a host team from Orangeburg. The teams are made up of 7- and 8-year-old players.

DYB Commissioner Will Wade made the announcement at a news conference held Aug. 12 at Orangeburg Recreation Park on North Road. He said the city complex was a big factor in bringing the event to Orangeburg, along with the enthusiasm shown by city leadership.

“First, you have a fabulous $18 million complex here, but what really persuaded me was the emphasis the mayor and all the city staff put on the youth and the community,” Wade said. “That’s the number one thing that sold me, the community aspect.”

Wade said DYB typically bids its World Series events two years in advance.

“There’s a lot of financial and logistical planning that goes into pulling off an event like this,” Wade said. “We’re bringing 24 teams from all over the southeast to spend the week in Orangeburg. There’s a lot behind the scenes that makes this happen. The Orangeburg staff did a fantastic job with their bid presentation, but now the hard work begins.”

Recreation Superintendent Shawn Taylor said the event is a vision and foresight that came to fruition.

“In 2018, the city of Orangeburg made a significant investment to build this complex in hopes of attracting events like this,” Taylor said. “We want to show our great sense of community and pride along with our baseball heritage. This event shows how invested we are in South Carolina’s future and creating economic development.”

Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler said the city is looking forward to hosting the event and showcasing the talent of the community’s youth.

“This is a special opportunity for the young people who will be playing in these games, and we want it to be a fun and memorable experience for them and their families,” Butler said. “We want this to be an event that will never be forgotten by the people of this county and this state.”

Orangeburg City Manager Sidney Evering thanked Butler and the city council for their leadership and foresight in approving construction of the new complex.

“That’s why this (complex) was built to host events like this,” Evering said. “This is a top-notch facility that we believe is second to none. I want to thank the Parks and Recreation staff, specifically Shaniqua Simmons, Shawn Taylor, Meredith Garris and the staff who worked so hard to make this day a success port. The city is committed to creating that proverbial Field of Dreams right here in Orangeburg.”

Orangeburg resident Angela Burrows has four boys who have played baseball in the city of Orangeburg. He said having a World Series in his hometown is a dream.

“(Through baseball) I’ve seen neighbors become friends, friends become family and teammates become brothers,” Burrows said. “This recognition is well deserved, it has been going on for years. The World Series is the stuff of dreams for kids young and old.”

The World Series is scheduled for July 25-30, 2024. Taylor said his department will continue to improve the complex over the next two years.

“We want to make sure we have all the amenities to make sure our visitors have the experience of a lifetime.”